Appropriate Age to Allow Babysitting?

Nine is too young. My kids were at least 14 before they could watch their little sitters for quick trips. Just my opinion...

I have an eight year old and a 3 yr old. And i'd never in a million years leave them home alone together. A 9 yr old should not have to take on the responsibility of a 3 yr old IMO.

I say the minimum age should be 13.
And only if they are a mature 13 yr old.
Most 9 years olds & a lot of 13 year olds do not know what to do in an emergency. Some even answer the door when they know they shouldn't
These days the kids are very preoccupied w/their texting & social media so they don't always "pay attention".
Better to err on the side of caution & wait till she's older.

First ... check the laws in your state/city for what they say is ok or not. None of the states I've been in allowed anyone under the age of 13 to babysit (even for a short time, but at least one of them didn't have any real regulations about how old and for how long they could be left alone at home ... silly right?). But each state and even city are different so look into that.

I know I was babysitting for others by the time I was 10 or 11, but this was more years ago than I'm willing to admit at this point in time LOL lets just say bell bottoms were still all the rage LOL

Trust your gut and check the laws. If you think the younger one will do ok and the older one wouldn't flip out and panic in the event of an emergency then I'd say it'll be fine. And as grandma T suggested, talk to a neighbor to keep an ear/eye out for when you're out exercising.

I guess it depends on the kids. But at 9 would she know what to do if the 3 year okd had a really bad fall, cut etc?

I don't think I'd be comfortable. Maybe if the 3 year old were napping?? Would you hear a phone call from her if she needed you?

NO, leaving a 9 and 3 year old home alone, not a good idea. I would leave the 9 year old home alone by herself for 15 minutes, but she's too young to be responsible for a toddler.

Where I live, children are not allowed to babysit until they are 12 (state child labor law), and then they have to take a Red Cross babysitting course first. Many states are much stricter about this sort of thing than they used to be a generation (or more) ago, even if the work is taking place in one's own home.

Some children, of course, are trustworthy at 9, and some are untrustworthy at 19. But you know that, even with your best efforts, anything can happen in sixty seconds, let alone twenty minutes. And you don't want to let yourself in for a charge of child neglect.

Is there an experienced sitter of the ripe old age of 12 or 13 within walking distance of you, who would take this little job after school or during the summer, with your 9-year-old as an assistant? A girl that age might be happy to earn a little money. And your daughter might be an excellent helper, but wouldn't be burdened with the responsibility.

It's all about what you know your kids are capable of. Some of us have kids that will mind us when we are out for a few and some kids are not capable of being alone for a minute. Go with your gut.
I'd let a neighbor keep an ear out if you have a neighbor like that.
The biggest fear is FIRE or something like that. A nine yr old really wouldnt know what to do...
And the LAW would get you IF something bad happened. It's really a gamble. Is it worth it?
My kids were home alone a lot at pretty young ages with no complications.

I agree with checking your state laws and local ordinances first. Where I live we have no minimum age for leaving a child at home alone, but in many states it is illegal to leave a child under the age of 12 by themselves.

Once you have figured that out and it is indeed legally ok, it really depends on your children. I have to disagree with others who suggested that a 9 year old would not know what to do in case of an emergency... even my 4.5 year old knows what the fire alarms sound like, what to do in case of a fire or earthquake and how to dial 911 (not that I leave her alone, but I believe it's important to teach them early on!) - so I would definitely imagine a 9 year old would get this. Then it depends on your 3 year old... is she easygoing, does she listen to her big sister, do they get along well...?
I think if it was just the nine year old home alone for 20 minutes, I would say go for it...but putting her in charge of a 3 year old might be a bit much for her to handle even for a short time...on the other hand you know your children best.

Good luck.

i was watching kids at 10. but that was years ago. i would see if you can have the neighbor keep an eye on them instead. if your daughter was 11-12 it would be different 9 is too young imo

A nine year old in charge of a six year old? No. Way. Would your nine year old know what to do in case of emergency? Say...your little one falls and smashes their head. Would she be calm enough to call 911, and follow all emergency directions? Would she be able to do something with the wound, if instructed? (Meaning, what would her reaction emotionally be?) If your three year old got out of the house somehow, how would your nine year old react? If someone comes to the door, calls on the phone...etc? What about a fire? Has your nine year old EVER been in a situation, where you can gauge her reaction to some sort of adversity? A situation where you could gauge her reaction to an emergency? Has she ever seen anyone get hurt? If not, you have NO way of knowing how she would handle anything. Does she know CPR? Does she know the Heimlich? Will she know what to do, if your littler one starts choking? Does your 3 year old act up? Throw fits? Do they get along, or fight?

More importantly, if something DOES happen...guess who's getting arrested? Mom, for leaving a nine year old in charge of a toddler. In my opinion, it's irresponsible, and just not worth it. Sorry.

**I meant investigated, not arrested.

When I called our police department to ask at what age I could leave a child home alone for an hour or so, they could not give an age since there are some really responsible 12 year olds and really immature 15 year olds. They told me to decide if the child knew what to do in case of fire, bleeding wound, choking, etc. to save their own life. I would leave a 9 year old alone to run to the store for half an hour, but not to watch a 3 year old.

I think for only 15 or 20 minutes it would be ok. I would stay nearby - maybe going around the block a few times instead of going farther away. Also, I would let them do an activity that is quiet (i.e. when the little one has her nap or maybe while they watch their favorite tv show).

Another possibility is to do some exercising at home. I like the 30 day shred video which really gets your heart pumping. We also do Just Dance for wii when we don't have time to work out outside of the house.

I think that a child under 12 years old is plenty old enough to watch themselves but not a younger sibling. Especially one that is barely old enough to not be a toddler anymore.

You'll need to figure something else out. I do think in a couple of years he would be fine doing it. Just make sure he takes the babysitting course from the Red Cross, I think they do it, and then at 12 he is legally old enough to babysit.

He will need lots of time home alone to prepare him to manage himself and then learn how to manage emergencies before he is allowed to watch other children.

I agree with your two answers below. When I was 9 I did it, but things have changed. An emergency would be the biggest concern. Have you prepped your child for emergencies? When I did with my kids, we did role playing as well as informing. But she's a bit young for knowing what to do and staying calm -- perhaps -- sometimes kids will surprise ya. Does the 3 yr old enjoy being with the older sister? That can mean a lot. Also, if you do decide to do this I suggest a specific activity for the time you're away, such as reading to the younger one or playing a simple game or something. Maybe this can be a time that is put aside for a special game only played then and or snack.
Hope this helps.

Don't do it. 9 is too young. Even for a mature 9. I was a very mature kid. I started babysitting at 11.

I think that should be fine. I was babysitting other peoples kids when I was 9. I was also home schooled and had a baby sister (we are 9 years apart). So, I think that should be fine